Accessories

Choosing Tile for Your Bathroom

July 16, 2018

Depending on the surface area you want to cover, choosing tile for a bathroom is no easy feat. There are so many options available, it can make your head spin. Before you get dizzy, take a deep breath and let’s go through some of your tile options to help you decide which one is right for your bathroom’s style and function.

Choosing Tile for a Bathroom Remodel: A Few Tips to Get You Started

Which bathroom is it? If you’re remodeling a powder room, you won’t be as worried about the slip factor and may have the luxury of using higher-end tiles that you might not have been able to accommodate in the budget elsewhere. A kid’s bathroom, or a universal bathroom design focusing on accessibility, will require non-slip tile options for showers and floor. The level of maintenance you’re interested in putting into the tiles is also a consideration. Large tiles mean less grout – while smaller tiles mean more grout – and grout means more complex cleaning and long-term maintenance.

Where will the tiles go? I generally recommend using non-slip tiles on the shower floor, and they’re also a good idea on the floor of bathrooms frequently used for bathing and showering. However, gorgeous 18×18 marble tiles look amazing on bathroom floors and a well-placed area rug can always substitute as a non-slip surface directly adjacent to bath and shower areas. If you love the look of a slippery tile, simply choose it in a mosaic pattern, where extra grout will serve the non-slip role, or intersperse a mosaic pattern around larger tiles to serve the same purpose.

What type of tiles are you interested in? There are so many different types of tiles to choose from, ranging from ceramic and porcelain tiles to glass and quarried rock. Here is a brief rundown:

Ceramic and porcelain tiles. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, ceramic/porcelain tiles continue to be the most popular bathroom tile choice due to their ultra-durable surfaces and availability. With so many tiles to choose from, start by limiting your viewing selections to the styles recommended for bathroom applications, including non-slip options for safety. I assure you there are more than enough different styles to choose from.
Quarried tiles. Natural stone tiles are right behind ceramic tiles in terms of popularity. Again, your choices are seemingly endless. Keep in mind that quarried stones are porous, which means they are susceptible to stains, etching and/or chips or cracks depending on the type of stone you select. Marble is softer, granite and slate are harder. Marble is smooth on the feet but can be slippery. Slate can be rough for tender feet but is non-slip. Each has its advantages and your bathroom designer will help you select the best choice for your needs.
Glass Tiles. These are becoming increasingly popular, especially for those who prefer a more modern look. They come in all kinds of funky colors and their translucent nature adds its own level of interest as well as light play. Typically, glass tiles are used on the walls, to increase visual interest around sinks, baths and showers. They can be used on the floor but are less typical there because they are expensive and the contractor has to be meticulous to keep the adhesive from being visible. Glass tiles are relatively chip- and break-resistant but they’re susceptible to scratches.

The Perfect Chandelier

June 13, 2018

The dining room chandelier is like icing on the dining room design cake. In addition to providing lighting and ambiance, it also adds visual focus and a stylized design element. So, selecting the dining room chandelier is an important step. The wrong chandelier can make the room fall flat, while the right one will be noted and serve as a conversation piece for all who sit at your table.

Tips for Choosing a Dining Room Chandelier

The following tips will help you select – and then hang – your chandelier so it makes for a picture-perfect dining room.

The empty room. If you are just moving into a home, having a room built, and/or haven’t yet purchased a dining room table, you will want to size the chandelier in proportion with the dining room’s dimensions. In this case, the designer’s “rule of thumb” is to add the length plus the width of the room. The resulting figure would be the rough size of the chandelier’s diameter. So, if your dining room is a 10 x 12 space, you would keep your eye out for chandeliers that are roughly 22 inches in diameter.

The furnished room. If your dining room is already furnished, you should size the chandelier according to the table’s dimensions. In this case, designers typically choose a fixture (or two fixtures!) that is about one-half (no less than one-third) of the table’s width. By taking these dimensions into consideration, the chandelier will be in proportion to the space.

The table shape. The shape of the chandelier is also of importance. In most cases, you’ll see that a well-chosen chandelier mimics the shape of the table below. So a round table will have a round fixture while a square or rectangular table will have a similarly shaped chandelier. Of course, this is only a guideline. If you find a chandelier you love and it doesn’t fit this rule, go ahead and install it to see what you think. You can always return it if it doesn’t work out.

Complement your existing design. Your chandelier should complement the existing interior design. In a separate, formal dining room, this means keeping in line with the existing style. If you have an open floor plan, it can be fun to use the dining room chandelier as a way to tie in color, pattern, shape or other visual elements that may be visible elsewhere in the living space, while still holding true to the dining room design elements.

If you are someone who likes to change things up more frequently than most, consider purchasing a chandelier that uses a shade – or shades – as part of its aesthetic. This gives you a little flexibility because you can change the shades over time rather than having to change out the whole fixture.

How to Hang the Chandelier

If you are the first homeowner to install a chandelier in that space, or if you have chosen a particularly heavy chandelier, I highly recommend you hire an electrician who can make sure your ceiling is reinforced properly so it can withstand the weight of the fixture.

Typically, the chandelier should hang about 30-inches from the table top for an 8-foot ceiling. If the ceiling is higher, add 3-inches to that distance for every additional foot of ceiling height. So a 9-foot ceiling would leave 33-inches between the bottom of the chandelier.

If your chandelier doesn’t come with a dimmer option, I recommend installing a dimmer switch so you can control light quality and ambiance.

Accessorizing With Antlers

May 9, 2018

Antlers have been used as tools, weapons and accessories since humankind began decorating their homes. From wall mounted sculptures to candlestick holders, they can be used in a variety of ways – enhancing rustic decors as well as both modern and traditional interiors.

Contrary to what many think, antler-bearing animals do not have to lose their lives for an impressive set of antlers to grace your home. In fact, the males species shed their antlers annually, growing a new pair for the following mating season. If you’re an avid hiker, you may have even seen the occasional antler set dropped here or there along your way. This is how many of my clients have begun to collect their antlers, and then desire to find attractive ways to display them.

Here are some ideas for using antlers to accessorize your home:

On the wall. Yes, if you are a hunter or appreciate the beauty of taxidermy, antlers can be mounted on the wall in the traditional manner, resting atop the head of the animal. However, we see a rising trend in antlers mounted on walls alone, or connected to the skull from an animal that has died naturally. There is great beauty in the different shapes and patterns created by each antler set as no two are alike. The antler on skull motif works well in Southwest and modern designs.

In the man cave. Even if you wouldn’t describe the man in your life as a “hunter gatherer”, the mounted deer, elk, moose, etc., head on the wall is a distinctly masculine tradition. This is why the man cave can be the ideal place to display a family heirloom or a high-quality piece you find on the market. Or to mount an impressive set of antlers, sans the head and fur.

Light fixtures. There are some stunning light fixtures, both large and small, that are made from assortments or arrangements of antlers. This ethereal white antler chandelier is right at home suspended above a lodge-style living room. Antlers’ shape combination – long, curved and pointed – make the the ideal framework for chandeliers as well as overhead vanity lights or candle holders, and the shadows cast by the unique shapes add additional interest, especially when the sun goes down.

As art and accessory. Finally, there are subtle ways antlers can be used as an artistic accessory in your home. For example, the gold-painted antler draws the eye and adds a little extra sparkle in this tabletop display. A single set of antlers looks wonderful along the top of a fireplace mantle, in a display case, or along the top of a bookshelf. Or, in one of my favorite displays, branches and twigs were used and mounted on wooden pieces that are reminiscent of a skull, creating the illusion of real antlers.

Whether you are interested in creating a more rustic look or are simply fascinated by the stark and unique beauty of antlers, there are all kinds of ways you can add them to your interior decor.

Making Your Fireplace Mantel a Focal Point

April 21, 2018

The fireplace is almost always a focal point in living room designs. However, when things warm up – there’s rarely a fire for your eyes to get lost in. This is where the mantel comes into play. Using the right combination of art and accent pieces, your mantel will become the focal point that draws the eye away from the empty cavern of a fireplace until next winter rolls around.

Here are inspiring ideas to style your fireplace mantel.

The mantel itself. If you are living in a standard home, rather than one you designed, odds are your mantel is blah. You can dress it up, using the suggestions below, or you might want to just swap it out altogether. The custom fireplace and mantel in this San Francisco living room hardly needs adornment. Or, if above-the-fireplace is the only option for mounting your television, consider using a unique piece of driftwood or other material to clearly divide the fireplace from the entertainment center.

Hang an art piece. The most traditional method for decorating a mantel is to hang a stunning art piece above it. The colors will draw the eye up, and you can flank it on either side with sconces, or set complementary accents on each side of the mantel, keeping the mid-portion of the mantel free so nothing competes with the art.

The space above the mantel is also a wonderful spot for an accent wall – or section of wall. If a solid color doesn’t appeal to you, consider using wall paper with a beautiful print.

Use mirrors. In lieu of a work of art, you can also search for just the right mirror. In many cases, the mirror itself is a work of art. There are several benefits to using a mirror. If you have a smaller living or bedroom space with a fireplace, the mirror will help to make the space seem larger. If you plan ahead of time, you can make sure that the mirror reflects something beautiful from the opposite side of the room, so that particular accent does double duty. If you have a gorgeous suspended light fixture, you can work with the mirror placement so that it reflects the light, which adds a nice twinkly bonus once the sun sets.

Draw the eye. The mantel can be the icing on the fireplace cake. In this English Tudor, we used a pair of bronzed geese placed carefully on the hearth. They create an interesting visual focal point when there’s no fire lit. The arch of their necks draws the eye upwards to a stunning piece of art, and the right flowers in the vase play homage to the vivid colors in the canvas. In this instance, the fireplace and mantel become a complete design package.

Monochromatic color. Consider using a monochromatic or restricted color palate for a subtle and classy alternative to a mantel that stands out. Choose accents, art, and accessories from the same color family, with maybe an object or two that pops out a bit more than the rest.

Prop rather than hang. If a formal living room isn’t your cup of tea, you can take the decor down just a notch by propping – rather than hanging – your art pieces and accents. I love the way this mantel looks with the layered art pieces, stacked books and arranged candles. It’s stylish and attractive, but everything about it says warm, homey and comfortable. This is a living room where all guests feel welcome.

Easy Dorm Room Decor Ideas

March 17, 2018

The first year your child moves into his or her own dorm room is a biggie. It’s like an emotional roller coaster for everyone; the highs a new adult learning to make his/her way in the world and the terrifying fears that can accompany that! Decorating a dorm room can make all the difference for both parents and their college freshman.

As a parent, you’ll be able to feel a part of things and your child will be able to combine his/her favorite things from home along with new decorations, bedding and accessories that will help them to claim their own space in the world, literally and figuratively.

Easy DIY Dorm Room Decor Ideas to Make the Space Their Own

What stays and what goes. The first step is to sit down and see what they’re taking and what they’re leaving. Are they bringing their favorite quilt that grandma made for them? If so, you can cross bedding off the list. Did they get a cool batik from a college-savvy cousin as a graduation present? Envision it on the wall and then select additional decorations and accents that will complement it.

What dimensions are you working with? Depending on where your child will be going to school, the dorms may be impressively sized (usually the case at older colleges) or more like a micro-housing unit (often the case in newer dorms). See if you can get the room’s dimensions ahead of time so you don’t over-buy.

Invest in an area rug. I highly suggest investing in an area rug. Dorm floors are usually covered with either industrial tile or a neutrally colored, flat berber carpet that does nothing to add to the room’s appeal. If you’re in contact with your future roommate, you might want to check in on style preferences to make sure the color or pattern will work for him/her too. Otherwise, buy a smaller size that can be used under a desk or peeking out from the bed to help hide the boring stuff.

Make a faux-headboard. You can make your own faux-headboard (or daybed-style side wall version) Using heavy cardboard or foam board, a little cotton batting and a glue gun. Cut it any shape you like and then choose an attractive fabric to cover it. This will hide boring wall space and add visual interest.

Accent pillows galore. It’s nearly impossible to have too many pillows because the dorm room bed serves as both your couch and hang out space. Buy a half a dozen pillows in different shapes and sizes. They’ll come in handy when two or three friends are hanging out and need a little extra back support against the wall.

Loft one or both beds if you can. Talk to the maintenance department to see if they have any extra bed frames laying around. Often, they’ll let you use one or two to loft the beds. You sleep on the top and gain the extra square footage below for your desk, a couch, fridge, storage containers, etc.

Use wall decals. While you can’t paint or do anything permanent to the blank dorm walls, you can use temporary wall decals that can be removed when you move out. There are all kinds of decals from maps and murals to fun shapes and designs. They’re unique, visually interesting and – if you’re careful when removing them – they can be re-used.